These pictures of hope are the first of Laura Fairlamb, after undergoing a second liver swap operation.

Laura, 21, was given just a two per cent chance of survival and was told to say her goodbyes after her first liver failed.

But at the 11th hour a new liver became available for transplant after a year-long wait.

And just as her other organs were starting to shut down she underwent the gruelling op for a second time at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

Now eight months on, Laura is winning her battle for life and today urged Chronicle readers to join the organ donor list and give patients like her the chance of life.

She said: "I count myself as one of the lucky ones as so many people die waiting for a transplant. I was in hospital for three months after the operation and there was talk of a third transplant which had the family reeling. But, thankfully, that hasn't been necessary. I'm not out of the woods yet but I'm getting stronger every day.

"I feel hopeful for the future and want to thank the nurses who were always there for me when I was at my lowest ebb and crying my eyes out."

Laura, who has a place to study physiotherapy at Teesside University next year, had her first liver transplant at 18 when she was struck by a potentially fatal virus. It lasted for three years before failing after a vein became blocked.

Before the second operation Laura, of Lanchester, County Durham, was virtually housebound and even when her chance came it was still touch and go.

She suffered massive internal bleeding and needed transfusions during the 12-hour operation in January, carried out by liver expert Derek Manas.